APST 2.4 Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation

Topic 7 Social justice: Reconciliation, equity and knowledge that counts

Resource: Gandan Yarning’s (Gandan Yarnings, n.d.)

Reconciliation in early childhood begins with respect for the histories, cultures and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and with the recognition that this learning is lifelong. I chose Gandan Yarnings which is an educative cultural study on First Nations peoples, histories and culture. Gandan Yarnings deliver culturally informed advisory services across cultural awareness, environmental management and meaningful First Nations engagement (Gandan Yarnings, n.d.). I chose this resource because it guides centres and schools to move from reconciliation intent to genuine, measurable impacts while supporting relationships with local communities (Gandan Yarnings, n.d.). The EYLF V2.0 strengthens this commitment by including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives as a principle that should shape everyday practice, not appear only on special days (Australian Government Department of Education, 2022). Grace et al. (2022) highlight how closely children's identities are tied to family, community and Country, and Kessler and Swadener (2019) argue that social justice requires teachers to question whose knowledge counts. Used in collaboration with cultural workshops from Gandan Yarnings helps me avoid tokenism and embed community-informed perspectives in my kindergarten program.

 

 

 

 

 

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